Issue Position: Education

Issue Position

The federal government should provide a strong foundation for education, while preserving the decision-making authority for states, local communities and school boards. I have consistently worked on policy to increase support for public education while preserving decision making authority for states, local communities and school boards

In states with a large percentage of federally-owned land, like Idaho, state and local governments lose tax revenues that traditionally fund education and local government. Six years ago, Congress passed the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self Determination Act (P.L. 106-393), a bill I was glad to support. This important law continued timber sale sharing arrangements that had already been in place to fund public schools, but it also provided more stable payments for rural schools and counties to ensure that students receive vital educational services and rural communities have access to necessary road services.

I will continue to be a strong advocate for sensible education policy and programs that solve problems and create positive results for communities in Idaho and throughout our nation.

I was honored to receive the Senator Award for Excellence from First Book for my dedication to literacy and assistance in distributing over 330,000 new books to children in need in Idaho. I am proud of my work on No Child Left Behind, and was honored by the National School Board Association with a Special Recognition Award for my leadership and introduction of the Improving The No Child Left Behind Act.

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